One system, two directions
In summer a heat pump works like an air conditioner, moving heat out of the house. In winter it runs the same cycle in reverse and pulls heat from the outdoor air, even cold air, into the house. Because it moves heat instead of making it by burning fuel, a heat pump can deliver more heat energy than the electricity it uses.
Where it fits
The strongest case is usually a home that needs a new air conditioner anyway, a home without a gas line, or an addition the existing ducts do not reach. Ductless mini-splits suit that last case, and older homes with radiators where new ductwork would mean opening walls. Dual fuel keeps a gas furnace for the coldest stretch of the year and lets the heat pump carry the rest.
Running costs and incentives
Running cost comes down to local energy prices and equipment efficiency, and in New Jersey the gap between gas and a heat pump is often smaller than people expect. The furnace and boiler guides cover the other side of that comparison.
New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program and the state’s utilities run incentive programs for efficient heating and cooling equipment. The amounts and rules change, so check what applies before you sign anything, and see costs and planning for how to compare quotes.